4 Types of Blinds According to Style
Window treatments are necessary for any home with glass walls and windows in the United Arab Emirates. The year-round sunshine is great because you can plan to go surfing, swimming, running, or cycling any time of the year and be reasonably sure you won’t get rained on. Unfortunately, however, it also means 365 days of glare – thus, the need for curtains, shutters or blinds in the UAE.
Now, while any window treatment will cover your windows and save your eyes from the perennial sunny blaze, not all will suit your home or office. That goes for every type of window treatment, including blinds.
Below is a guide to the different types of blinds according to style to help you choose the right ones for your window
1. Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are a mainstream type of blinds and are likely what someone means when they say “blinds.” They are characterized by a succession of horizontal slats threaded into vertical cords. The slats can tilt open or closed, typically by rotating a tilt wand or rod clockwise or counterclockwise.
Blinds are typically equipped with pull cords. You can tug one so the slats stack on top of each other, raising the blinds and revealing the window underneath. The opposite end can be pulled to reverse the movement, unstacking the slats and lowering the blinds to cover the window.
Venetian blinds can come in different materials, including wood, aluminum, faux wood, and vinyl. Wooden Venetian blinds are a classic, and they are an excellent choice for the following types of interiors:
Traditional: Enhance classic decor with the timeless appeal of wooden blinds, adding a touch of sophistication.
Rustic: Wooden blinds are perfect for creating a cozy, natural atmosphere. Wood's organic texture fits seamlessly with rustic elements like exposed beams and natural fabrics.
Colonial: Wooden blinds align with colonial design's historic charm and symmetry, emphasizing craftsmanship and natural materials.
Country: Wooden blinds complement the casual, homey feel of country decor, especially with distressed or whitewashed finishes.
Scandinavian: Wooden blinds can add warmth to minimalist, functional spaces, balancing the clean lines and neutral palette typical of Scandinavian design.
Modern Farmhouse: Wooden blinds blend well with old and new elements, providing a rustic touch while maintaining a contemporary feel.
Mediterranean: Wooden blinds can complement the earthy tones and natural materials prevalent in Mediterranean interiors, enhancing the warm, inviting ambiance.
That said, faux wood, aluminum, and vinyl blinds can also work with the above interiors. It all depends on the blinds’ particular characteristics (color, texture, etc.) and the specific interior design.
Pros and Cons of Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds work simply and effectively to control the amount of light coming into a room. The slats that tilt open or closed provide granular privacy and light control. These blinds can be pulled up or let down to deliver even more privacy and light control. Venetian blinds can also create interesting light patterns on the walls and floors of your living room, which you can incorporate into your interior design and living room furniture.
Choose high-quality Venetian blinds; otherwise, their cords, slats and tilt rods can be prone to breaking and malfunctioning. Venetian blinds also tend to accumulate dust on the narrow slats – and these can be a pain to clean.
2. Mini Blinds
Mini blinds look and work the same as Venetian blinds, except they’re narrower. They are usually half the width of traditional Venetian blinds and work great for narrow or standard-sized windows.
Pros and Cons of Mini Blinds
Mini blinds are a popular window treatment due to their affordability and versatility. They are also easy to install, offer adjustable light control (just like other blinds), and are available in various materials and colors.
However, they can be difficult to clean, especially if dust accumulates. They are also typically less durable than other window treatments like shutters or curtains, as the slats can bend or break easily, depending on the material.
3. Vertical Blinds
As the name suggests, vertical blinds have broad, vertical slats. The slats hang from the top of the window to the floor, the window sill or a little past. The individual slats are connected to one another by cords or chains at the top. The bottom parts of the slats may also be corded or chained together, or they may be weighted to keep them steady and stable.
Like Venetian blinds, the edges of the slats overlap. You can also twist a rod to tilt the slats open (up to 90°) or closed (180°). You can also pull cords or twist a rod to draw the slats to one side to reveal the window underneath or slide the blinds all the way closed for full window coverage.
For particularly expansive windows or walls, you can install two panels of vertical blinds. Make sure they open from the center to the sides so one will slide to the right and the other to the left.
Pros and Cons of Vertical Blinds
Vertical slides make a great accent to full glass walls. Is your apartment or office on a higher floor with floor-to-ceiling glass windows? You can install floor-to-ceiling vertical blinds on them. The wide, vertical slats look great and modern; they should also be easier to clean than the narrower slats of Venetian blinds. If the coverage area is particularly huge – like one whole wall – opt for motorized vertical blinds to facilitate easy opening and closing.
However, vertical blinds may seem cold and, as such, may be more suitable for commercial than residential applications. They’re also noisier than Venetian blinds; even corded or weighted slats can be pretty loud when exposed to wind sources (e.g., electric fans, blowers, open windows, etc.) or other disturbances (when they’re somewhere high-traffic), people may be prone to brushing past or bumping into them, and the clattering noise can be distracting. Over time, moreover, cords and rods may stick and malfunction.
3. Roman Shades
Like Venetian blinds, Roman shades can be drawn up to uncover the window underneath or let down for full window coverage. Unlike Venetian blinds, they do not have slats but are instead made of a single piece of material. Possible materials include:
Fabric (e.g., cotton, linen, silk, etc.)
Natural materials (e.g., bamboo, woven reeds, etc.)
Synthetic materials (e.g., faux fabric, vinyl, etc.).
Pros and Cons of Roman Shades
Roman shades can be great in homes, particularly bedrooms and home offices. They can provide excellent insulation, especially when made with thick fabrics with thermal lining. However, fabric and natural-material Roman shades are not ideal in humid places (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens), as they can be prone to retaining moisture.
Roman shades also don’t offer granular light and privacy control. They have three states: open, partially open, and closed. When you pull the string that controls them, the shade unfurls or folds up accordingly.
Find the Right Blinds for Your Space
Blinds (or other window treatments) are a must in the UAE. When choosing your blinds, select the style that best suits your space's aesthetics. However, make sure to consider your office or home maintenance needs and preferences.
More Home Improvement Articles
